Tradition in sports is a thing of the past, and the main culprit for killing it is television.The Chicago Cubs played all their home games in the afternoon until 1989, when television networks encouraged them to get lights to show games in prime time.For a long time, Alabama and Tennessee faced off on the gridiron on the third Saturday in October, until it was decided by the athletic directors and television executives that the matchup would get higher ratings if it were played later in the season.LSU and Arkansas have played each other the Friday after Thanksgiving since 1996. But this season, because CBS preferred to put the Alabama-Auburn game in the Friday afternoon slot, The Battle for the Golden Boot will be played Saturday night.Students seem to have varying opinions on the date change.Jonathan Adair, general education junior, said he would rather the game be on Friday, but the Saturday time slot does provide an upside.”At least with a Saturday game, we’ll get more tailgating time,” Adair said.Another issue is the attempt to increase student attendance.Roben West, political science freshman, said playing the game on Saturday gives students a better chance to get back to Baton Rouge for the game.”[Playing the game on Saturday] is better for people who have to travel long distances to come back,” West said. “Because of Thanksgiving and Black Friday and all of that, it can get very hectic.”But Adair disagrees, saying he believes attendance will actually drop because of the change.”People are going to want to go spend time with their families,” Adair said. “They’re not going to want to interrupt the weekend. With [the game being played on] Friday, people will still have Saturday and Sunday to spend with their family, but the ball game on Saturday will interrupt everyone’s family time.”Since Arkansas joined the Southeastern Conference in 1992, 14 out of the 17 games between LSU and Arkansas have been played on a Friday. LSU holds an 8-6 advantage in those Friday games.LSU has also won five of the last eight games despite dropping the last two. The Tigers lead the all-time series, 33-19-2, though the two teams did not play from 1966 until 1992. Saturday will also mark the first time the Golden Boot trophy, which resembles the Louisiana and Arkansas state borders, will be awarded on a Saturday. The inaugural trophy was given in 1996 following LSU’s 17-7 victory on a Friday.Another change for the game will be LSU’s new uniforms.The Tigers are one of 10 teams taking part in Nike’s Pro Combat line. The alternate regalia drew mixed reactions from students.”I like the colors and the way it stands out,” said Ryan Early, psychology freshman.Adair is not a fan of the change.”I’d rather stick with tradition on [the uniforms],” Adair said.—-Contact Rob Landry at [email protected]